On the heels of stellar performances at Canadian Music Week 2008 and the 2008 East Coast Music Awards, along with the recent release of their heavily-anticipated debut record “You Will Land With a Thud” (produced by Gordon Gano, Violent Femmes), the 9-member folk rock n’ roll explosion known as The Tom Fun Orchestra now announces a slew of new tour dates!

Included in the upcoming run is a jaunt around the East Coast, a sweep through Ontario and a trip across the pond to Ireland for The Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival.

Just one month out of the gate since the release of "You Will Land..", the reviews have been pouring in, unanimously heralding the up-and-coming folk rockers from Cape Breton Island as ‘the next big thing’ to emerge from the burgeoning East Coast music scene. To boot, the band peaked at #7 on the national CBC Radio 3 Top 30 Charts last week!

After two hugely successful nights at CMW 2008 earlier this month – from a packed house and line-up down the street at the Dakota Tavern, to a wildly energetic 4am set at the Horseshoe Tavern – The Tom Fun Orchestra left quite an impression on music critics and fans alike, even garnering a nod from U.K. tastemaker Clash Magazine, who named TFO ‘One of The Top 10 Emerging Bands in Canada’ after catching the band’s Dakota Tavern CMW set.

THE TOM FUN ORCHESTRA ON TOUR

EAST COAST

April 5 – Halifax, NS – The Marquee

April 9 – Antigonish, NS – Pat’s Place

April 10 – Sackville, NB – George’s Roadhouse

April 11 – Charlottetown, PEI – Hunter’s Ale House

April 12 – Saint John, NB – Elwoods

ONTARIO

April 22 – Hamilton, ON – The Casbah

April 23 – London, ON – Call The Office

April 24 – Peterborough, ON – Red Dog Tavern

April 25 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace

IRELAND

May 1 –Mullingar, Meath – The Stables

May 2-4 – Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival

MEDIA QUOTES

"Definitely one of the most interesting albums to come from the East Coast or anywhere else in Canada" – NOW Magazine

Montreal’s David Martel believed it was his destiny to create music. He took to the streets to sing and play his guitar for anyone who had ears to listen. Producer Dave A. Sturton’s (Jean LeLoup) ears perked up and wanted to be involved. A week after meeting, Martel ended up going to Sturton’s Production DNA studio and then again the week after… and then again, and so on. Each time they connected they would invite different players into the session taking them a step closer to what has become Martel’s first solo effort, I Hardly Knew Me (Kindling Music/Warner), which will be released May 27, 2008.

I Hardly Knew M, which is currently available online, takes the listener on a journey through well-constructed pieces of melodic, indie-pop, tasteful pancakes, like "End Of Self" and "Stay In"; intimate gems like "Yours and Mine" and "Love"; and the closer, "Cancel All Your Plans" that melds the closeness of a small live concert performance to amazing, added studio tracks.

"I don’t know. Is this really my first solo project?" asks Martel while bathing. "I’ve never worked with so many players for one record. When we first started this thing, I think everyone at my label and even Sturton thought we were going for more stripped-down sound… but it’s definitely become the hugest recording I’ve ever made in terms of layers and arrangements and instrumentation."

"I’ve been in bands for years, and I love that dynamic," adds Martel. "My favorite part about making I Hardly Knew Me was to be able to enlist the help of exactly who I wanted to play for each part. On this album, the listener will go from full-out rocking insanity, to up close and personal, folksy, beautifulness – all with Martel’s patented, soaring, melodic vocals leading the way.

Three legendary rock bands are teaming up for what is sure to be the tour of the summer. JOURNEY, Heart and Cheap Trick are heading out on the concert trail starting July 9 in Denver, CO through October 4 in Albuquerque, NM. Fans should check local listings for on-sale dates, which begin Saturday, April 5.

Eagle Rock Entertainment is proud to announce the next two instalments in its much-lauded “CLASSIC ALBUMS” DVD series, with the release of The Doors’ The Doors on April 22 and Plastic Ono Band by John Lennon on April 29.

THE DOORS/Classic Albums: The Doors DVD/April 22

There may have been no debut album in the history of rock’n’roll that changed the sound, the scope and future of pop culture more than the 1967 arrival of The Doors.

Controversial from the getgo due to singer/songwriter Jim Morrison’s dark lyrics and dangerous lifestyle, this Los Angeles band laid the groundwork for everything a band should—and shouldn’t—be right up to the present day.

The Doors features its three surviving members newly interviewed about that heady rush, that intoxicating thrill, accompanying the creation of a masterpiece. Original engineer Bruce Botnick adds his own remembrances. Testimonials from such Doors-influenced musicians as Henry Rollins and Perry Farrell are juxtaposed with actual instrumental demonstrations of the songs themselves to create an incredible behind-the-scenes look that rock fans will never forget.

Krieger fascinatingly demonstrates on slide and flamenco guitar just how certain songs were written. Manzarek recreates exclusively for this DVD how he chanced upon rock’s greatest organ solo (“Light My Fire”). Densmore shows off his highly idiosyncratic drum techniques. And even longtime Doors fans might not know that “Moonlight Drive” was deleted from the debut, only to show up on the next album, Strange Days, in a totally different arrangement [retail list price $11.69, length 90 minutes].

JOHN LENNON/Classic Albums: Plastic Ono Band DVD/April 29

The Beatles’ John Lennon was a tortured individual when he recorded his 1970 solo debut album, Plastic Ono Band. It was also this album that defined him as being his own man.

Lennon had been in therapy with Dr. Arthur Janov whose controversial “primal scream” psychiatric techniques were raising eyebrows within the medical establishment. Lennon took the black hole of his depression and poured it into his music via such personalized mantras as “Mother,” “Isolation,” “God,” "My Mummy’s Dead” and nine others.

Intense and shocking, Lennon spared no expense in skewering longheld beloved beliefs “(“I don’t believe in Beatles”) while openly seething over his own lost childhood (“Mother, you had me but I never had you”). There had never been—and there will never will be—a more stark portrayal of an artist in pain than this.

April 8th marks the release of Help Wanted, Eric Avery’s debut solo effort on Dangerbird Records. Avery is best known as a founding member and bassist of Jane’s Addiction and principle of Polarbear. The album, which boasts twelve tracks, features guest appearances from Garbage’s Shirley Manson, Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea (who contributes his trumpet playing skills).

The Jägermeister Music Tour is back…louder and heavier than ever. Running twice a year for six years straight, this Spring Tour continues the momentum with a co-headlining bill featuring undisputed heavyweights of hardcore metal, Hatebreed and kings of goth metal, Type O Negative.

Hatebreed have been touring non-stop in support of their 2006 release “Supremacy” and look forward to another up-close encounter with Jägermeister. “Having the opportunity to headline the Jägermeister Music Tour, like our friends from Slayer & Slipknot is a tremendous honor.” says frontman, Jamey Jasta. “Jägermeister has supported heavy music in so many different ways and they continue to bring together the best of the best in metal. The Spring Tour will be no different and co-headlining with our friends from Type O Negative makes it that much sweeter.”

New Yorkers, Type O Negative hit the metal scene in 1991. Many of today’s rockers have acknowledged the measure of Type O Negative’s influence in their own work. The band is fired up to tour with their SPV Records debut, “Dead Again”. Peter Steele of Type O Negative says, “We’ve always had serious respect for everything Jägermeister does in music and headlining their Tour has been a long-time goal of ours. It’s an even greater accomplishment to have a co-headlining band like Hatebreed along for the ride with us.”

“We thought long and hard before putting this tour together and feel these two bands are a perfect fit for the Spring Jägermeister Music Tour,” says Rick Zeiler, Director of Strategic Marketing for Jägermeister. “We’ve been doing this long enough to know who will work well on our Tour and feel the synergy is perfect. Get ready, metal fans — this will definitely be one of the hardest tours we’ve ever done!”

The Tour will rock through June and each show will be rounded out with a local Jägermeister sponsored band. On the road since 2002, The Jägermeister Music Tour, now produced by GMR Entertainment, has become THE rock show to see. For less than $30 a ticket, fans will not only have the opportunity to experience a great show, but also have a chance to snag some great Jägermeister prizes and giveaways like JägerMusic compilation CD’s, as well as plenty of Jägermeister shirts, hats, and more. Other prizes provided by Tour sponsors include custom items from Schecter Guitars, Peavey Electronics, and JVC Mobile Entertainment.*

Imported from Germany and made with herbs and spices, Jägermeister is the most popular shot brand in the United States and the leading imported cordial. Known for its creative marketing and innovative promotions, Jägermeister is proud to be a part of the music scene and an active supporter of up-and-coming musicians. Jägermeister is imported by Sidney Frank Importing Co., Inc. of New Rochelle, NY who encourages all those 21 and over to drink responsibly.

GMRE has received numerous industry accolades including awards for its work with clients such as AXE, Nokia and Verizon Fios. With offices in Milwaukee, Chicago, Charlotte, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York Seattle, Toronto and London, GMRE is a division of GMR Marketing which is a member of The Radiate Group, a global network of independently branded marketing services agencies operating within the Omnicom Group Inc.

*Must be 21 or over to be eligible for prizes. Giveaways and raffle prizes are subject to state and local laws and are not available in California and may not be available at other shows.

Memphis-based rockers Egypt Central are proud to announce upcoming tour dates with Drowning Pool and Nonpoint. The tour kicks off April 5 at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth, TX.

Egypt Central is currently touring to support their self-titled debut, which hit streets January 15 and was produced by famed knob-twister Josh Abraham (Linkin Park, Korn, Velvet Revolver) on the album.

The new album has been getting great radio support on the strength of the band’s first single, “You Make Me Sick.” Egypt Central is currently #20 on the BDS Active Rock chart and #22 on the Mediabase chart, with new stations adding the track every week! The song is currently in the Top 5 phone requests for KILO/Colorado Springs, WCPR/Biloxi (TX), WRXR/Chattanooga, and WIYY/Baltimore.

Don’t miss Egypt Central this spring with Drowning Pool, as they tour to support their outstanding, self-titled debut album!

CANDLEBOX is back and will be playing four west coast dates over the course of the next week where the band will be debuting new material from their forthcoming new record, out on Silent Majority this July. Kevin, Peter and Scott will give fans a first listen to multiple new Candlebox tracks plus, they will perform favorites like "Far Behind," "You," "Change," "Cover Me," and more.

Ringo Starr announces the addition of several cities to his North American ‘Ringo Starr & His All Starrs’ tour, as well as on sale dates for the majority of the shows. This summer’s outing, Starr’s 10th All Starr-studded tour, will include returning All Starrs (in alphabetical order): Colin Hay, Billy Squier, Hamish Stuart, and Edgar Winter, and first timers Gary Wright and Gregg Bissonette. The All Starr tour will bring its newest chart-topping lineup to more than 25 cities in the U.S. and Canada, including New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles.

No other single stage produces the hits like Ringo’s All Starrs, each singularly accomplished in their own right. All of the All Starr artists complement Starr’s musical style and share his message of peace and love. As Ringo said in a recent interview, "My live shows are a peace-and-love fest. That’s my main promotion, really."

Starr’s latest album, Liverpool 8, was released on CD, digitally and on USB wristband on January 15 by Capitol/EMI. His most personal release in years, Liverpool 8’s songs are a reflective journey through Ringo’s storied life and career and feature some of his greatest songwriting to date. Co-produced and co-written with Dave Stewart, Liverpool 8’s resounding message of peace and love will continue to resonate with All Starr audiences across the country when Ringo hits the road this summer for his first tour since 2006.

Since 1989, Ringo Starr’s All Starr tours have rocked sold out venues with great musicians who share Starr’s love of performing. All of the All Starrs lend their most popular songs to Ringo’s already impressive hit list which includes such classics as "With a Little Help From My Friends," "Yellow Submarine," "Photograph" and "It Don’t Come Easy."

The tour’s U.S. and Canadian dates, booked by Dave Hart at ICM, begin on June 19 at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The tour includes a show at New York’s Radio City Music Hall on June 24, and will conclude on August 2 at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre.

Last night in Montreal our van and trailer was stolen with all our our gear, merch and CD..s. None of these items are insured.

Below is a list of gear that was stolen. PLEASE WATCH FOR ANY OF THESE ITEMS on the internet or at pawn shops.

Please also note we had close to 400 CD..s stolen with our merch. IF YOU SEE THE CD..S ("WE ARE NOT ALONE") FOR SALE ON ANY WEBSITE OTHER THAN HISTORY MUSIC, PEOPLE LIKE YOU OR ACETATE SITES PLEASE E-MAIL US.

“This sophomore set from his Toronto trio lays down a solid base of chunky, punky indie-rock and stylish alt-pop – then sugar-coats it with the dusty-sweet harmonies of Higgins and Niva Chow. Catchy, stylish – and very memorable.” – Darryl Sterdan, Sun Media

Grade – A “DEARLY BELOVED SOUNDS like a more-mainstream version of The White Stripes. Prominent offbeat drum and guitar accompanied by the vocals of Niva Chow, Rob Higgins, and Damon Richardson provide just the right amount of contrast and harmony. The band reinvents itself on every song of Repo Repo Repo, creating unique riffs for each track instead of repeating the same progressions. The upbeat tempo and insane drum beats of “Candy Coated” start the album off with a bang, setting the bar high and it’s never lowered.” – Fulcrum

“Candy Coated, a song that is easily the most infectious track on their new album, and also seems destined to be a hit at campus bars and clubs, with its male/female vocal parts that are filled with sexual tension……This band created a stage show well worth watching and songs that are so catchy that I’m still singing them to myself while writing this. It’s a wicked combination.”– Pete Nema Reviews

“Repo Repo Repo is fucking wicked!…….While Dearly Beloved maintain their raw sound, Rob Higgins has really stepped up his songwriting skills and the results can be heard track one to ten.” Joe Zabukovec, The Newspaper

“Like Jaguar, RepoRepoRepo is rooted in dirty, indie-dance rock, but what makes this record so different are the tight and fiery live performances captured (check out choice cuts “Candy Coated,” “Dress it Up” and “When Slow is the New Fast”). It’s these genuine acts of musicianship that shock the aural senses into submission and leave the listener with a far more satisfying aural journey then your standard radio rock band.” – Jason Gladu, Popjournalism

“RepoRepoRepo the sophomore offering has the "In your face" attitude we have come to love and expect from Dearly Beloved. The opening song "Candy Coated" has the tag line, "Say my fucking name, Say my name, Say my name." It has rock anthem appeal but has a not-so-subtle message for FM Radio programmers who can’t play the damn song, unless they have their finger on the "Beep" button, constantly on guard. It’s a rude and precautious way to kick off this phase of their relationship with the music industry but guess what, they didn’t write the songs for the music industry so too fucking bad Mr. Man. The songs are for music fans.” – IndieCan Radio

“Repo Repo” is an absolutely awesome album…… Dearly Beloved is really fun to watch, they have lead singer Rob Higgins all over the stage getting right into the music and moving like he means it from the heart, while sexy Niva Chow is on the opposite side of the stage doing backing vocals, swinging her hair, and shaking her ass to the hard rocking catchy tunes. “ IndieCan Radio

Sean Ashby is one of North Americas most sought after musicians having been playing and recording with the likes of Sarah McLachlan, Delerium, Conjure 1 and many others. Ashby, a singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer and engineer will release Brass And Gold on RCD Music/Fontana North on April 29, 2008 with a CD release party at the Bovine on April 24.

Ashby has recorded and toured with some of Canada’s most successful musicians. He has been McLachlan’s guitarist since1996 and appeared with her on "Just like You (Cats In The Cradle)” for D from Run DMC’s solo CD. He has recorded and/or toured with Delerium, Front Line Assembly, Swollen Members, Conjure 1, Lava Hay, Lee Aaron, Sue Medley, Holly McNarland, Mike Trebilcock (of the Killjoys), Todd Fanceys (The new Pornographers) and Wild Strawberries. Ashby recorded a version of the Beatles’ ‘Blackbird’ with McLachlan for the major motion picture ‘I Am Sam’ starring Sean Penn. It is currently getting heavy rotation on radio stations all over North America.

Brass and Gold is a solo venture, however if you include his last project Jack Tripper, it is actually Ashby’s third album. The CD focuses on Ashby’s songwriting/singing /guitar/producing and he also mixed one song. Many of the songs are inspired by Ashby’s battles with his own dark side and his journey out. "Eyes are Closed" is a more uplifting song that came to him in a beach hut in Costa Rica on a surf trip. “I am no Jack Johnson, but I have been doing an impression of surfing for about ten years,” says Ashby.

"Dance Upon My Grave" was inspired by a book on Gypsy Singing, “it talked about being a Gypsy singer and how a singer should be completely drained after one song – wrenching out all their emotion into every line, left voiceless and exhausted at the end of the "telling" of the song,” Ashby explains. “I was also thinking about a scene in Kill Bill Part 2 where the protagonist is buried alive and trying to escape, the claustrophobia of that idea juxtaposed as an emotional metaphor was the catalyst for this song. That coupled with my own relationship destruction’s, inevitably at my own hands. I could go on like this about all the songs, they mean the world to me.”

Ashby was able to recruit an impressive line up of musicians to perform on Brass and Gold including Todd Fancey (the New Pornographers), Ray Garraway (K-OS) and Sean Drabbit (Branford & Wynton Marsalis). Kevin Fox did two wonderful string arrangements. “Recording the string section was a very emotional experience – so beautiful sounding I had a hard time keeping it together in order to produce/direct the session,” says Ashby.

As a musician Ashby has appeared on the Grammy Awards twice, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno five times, SNL and David Letterman three times along with other major TV shows and four motion pictures. Ashby has received two four times platinum U.S. records and one Diamond record in Canada for his work with McLachlan.

Ashby is hitting the road with Delerium this month and then returning in time for the CD release to start touring Brass and Gold. Check the website for tour updates.

“On this, his solo debut, he emerges as a rock singer-songwriter with a knack for melody and infectious riffs….Stylistic reference points here range from the Foo Fighters to Coldplay to Nick Drake and such eclecticism is refreshing in this era of one-dimensional artists.” – Kerry Doole, Exclaim

A new chapter in the legendary career of multi-Platinum rockers JOURNEY–Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums) and Arnel Pineda (vocals)—will begin on June 3 with the highly anticipated release of REVELATION, a three-disc CD and DVD package to be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores in North America.

The first disc will consist of 11 re-recorded classics, the second is filled with 11 new songs, and the third is a live, in-concert DVD. All of the music on REVELATION was produced by Kevin Shirley (who previously worked with JOURNEY on their Platinum-certified TRIAL BY FIRE album).

JOURNEY will take REVELATION on the U.S. concert trail later this July, with details to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Populars have A Pill For Everyone in the form of their second full length album being released on April 22, 2008 on Kindling Music/Warner Music Canada, an album that follows their 2005 debut, the vindicator lp. For fans that can’t wait for April, the album is currently available digitally. The band hits the road starting in April for Junofest and then continuing to perform across Canada.

Produced by Moe Berg of The Pursuit of Happiness, A Pill For Everyone offers a little bit of everything… ranging from the soulful “I Feel Better Now” to the driving, rhythmic beat of “Good News,” to the sardonic pop gem “Teenage Party Girl” and alt-country Birdsesque “Can You Keep A Secret?” Dave Klym explains, "In all honesty, for every song we wrote, we just tried to write a melody that would get Joey Ramone’s stamp of approval."

Armed with a tattered van, some broken gear, and a passion to play, drummer Ernie Basiliadis and guitarist Dave Klym were two guys from the Alberta prairies who spent several years (and many, many miles) touring and performing around the world. After a few years playing in the Nashville scene, Dave & Ernie decided they wanted to do something completely different. They had a simple vision: to create their own, new sound; a sound that borrows from and celebrates the music of the artists they love. It was 2002 when they headed to Ontario to form The Populars, a power trio made complete with the addition of Toronto bassist Ben Wilson.

The Populars influences are all over the map. Starting with pop innovators like The Jam, Joe Jackson, and Squeeze, to punk rock staples like the Dead Kennedys, The Dickies and The Ramones, and throw in a few classic rock legends like The Who, Tom Petty, and The Kinks, The Populars honor their heroes with a sound that emphasizes catchy hooks, well-crafted melodies and their sheer ability to play.

Apart from their quirky, edgy pop sensibility, one of the most defining elements of The Populars experience is their live performance. The band gives their all during their theatrical, energetic sets, making each and every show a unique, personal experience for their fans.

The Populars believe that in today’s over-marketed and overmedicated society there seems to be a pill for everything. For them music is the best medicine. So fill out your prescriptions with "A Pill For Everyone" and use three times daily.

“Feel Better Now” is the #2 independent song on spiderwebradio, their listeners in 130 U.S. Cities and 35 countries rate the tunes….check out Independent Sundays 4-6pm EST hosted by AC Stewart

Dropkick Murphys: TMOT Deluxe CD/DVD OUT TODAY * Great St. Paddy’s Day Content!

In Stores Today…Dropkick Murphys are back with a limited edition, deluxe package of their latest CD, The Meanest of Times! With St. Patrick’s Day on the horizon (Mon 3/17), DKM’s wanted to give their fans a special treat this year, as this marks their very first St. Patty’s Day deluxe release of their career. The band will be playing their annual block of St. Patrick’s Day shows in Boston next weekend (ALL SOLD OUT!), which has become an annual ritual for many Northeastern DKM fans. The single off the St. Patty’s Deluxe record is "(F)lannigans Ball," which was actually recorded in Ireland with The Pogues’ Spider Stacey and The Dubliners’ Ronnie Drew.

"If catching the Murphys in Boston for one of their infamous St. Patrick’s Day shows isn’t already a Top 10 mission, The Meanest of Times will convince you it’s time to reprioritize.” Alternative Press

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day and their March tour dates (below) the Dropkick Murphys have repackaged The Meanest Of Times to include extra tracks and a bonus DVD and will release a limited edition deluxe CD/DVD package. The CD will contain all 15 tracks from the original TMOT release plus five bonus cuts. The DVD contains a mini-movie on the band’s St. Patrick’s Day charity breakfast in Boston, the music video for "The State Of Massachusetts," behind the scenes making the music video of "The State Of Massachusetts" and a celebration of the band’s trip to victory with the Boston Red Sox.

2007 was a huge year for Dropkick Murphys. The Meanest Of Times release in July marked the bands highest chart debut ever when it entered the Billboard Top 200 at #20 and is their fastest selling record to date as its already sold over 130,000 copies. For the first time in their career, the Murphys have become a critics band as their unique brand of classic punk rock, Celtic folk and American rock’n’roll seems to have struck a chord with even the savviest of writers. The Meanest Of Times was #40 on Rolling Stone’s Top 50 Albums Of The Year and "The State Of Massachusetts" came in at #83 on their Top 100 Singles of the year!

On the heels of the Feb.19 release of their crushing debut effort “A Stimulus For Reason”, Toronto progressive metal 5-piece Alpha Galates have now unleashed their brand new video “Standing” (dir: Margaret Malandruccolo) upon the masses!

“Standing” has just been added into Heavy Rotation at MuchLoud and today was also named Much Music’s official loud video pick of the week, as the Much Music LoudTested Video!

In other Alpha Galates news, the band was recently added to THE LIVELINE.com, an innovative new site launched by MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine that enables musicians to connect to their audience over the phone. Other artists featured include Megadeth, Ministry, Anthrax, Arch Enemy, Lamb of God, Machine Head, Dream Theater and more! To check out Alpha Galates on The LiveLine, visit: www.theliveline.com.

Alpha Galates are currently gearing up for a run of Canadian dates throughout Central and Western Canada later this month.

CRASH ROMEO: ‘Gave Me The Clap’ Out March 25; U.S. Tour Starts April 13

Hailed by Outburn magazine as “a diamond in the rough of an oversaturated genre,” New Jersey’s Crash Romeo is back with their sophomore album, GAVE ME THE CLAP, which is due out March 25 on Trustkill Records. The album was produced by Chris Badami (The Starting Line, The Early November).

A video for the album’s first radio track, “Popular,” was recently shot in New Jersey with director Jason Marsden (actor from “Full House,” “Boy Meets World”) and will be hitting the TV and Internet airwaves within the coming weeks.

“Popular” will be included in Mountain Dew’s Amp 6 Pack, a compilation of new songs that goes out to over 250 college radio station DJs nationwide. Crash Romeo will also be featured on Mountain Dew’s website (www.mountaindew.com). The band has also created a custom T-shirt which will be sold exclusively at Hot Topic stores throughout the Northeast.

"We think the new songs rock,” exclaims singer Travis Weber. “This next record will have something for everyone. We have songs that make you dance, songs that make you want to party, songs that will make you cry, and songs that will make you just want to break something in your room."

Alternative Press praised Crash Romeo’s debut album, MINUTES TO MILES, as an album with "hooks, melodies, and classic song writing of power pop, meshed with younger punk aggression."

No strangers to the U.S. concert trail (thanks to a stint on last year’s Warped Tour), Crash Romeo will be hitting the road with Tub Ring, Driver Side Impact and School Boy Humor starting April 13 in Allentown, PA. Before the trek begins, the band will be doing a handful of FREE acoustic in-store performances at the following New Jersey stores:

KoRn guitarist James ‘Munky’ Shaffer announces plans to release a new project entitled FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM due out August 8, 2008. The record will be released on his own label, EMOTIONAL SYPHON RECORDINGS.

The band features James Christian Shaffer (“Munky”) on guitars and vocals; Billy Gould (Faith No More), bass; Wes Borland (Black Light Burns), guitars; Brooks Wackerman (Bad Religion, Tenacious D), drums and percussion; Leopold Ross, programming and guitars; Zach Baird, keyboards and programming. The album will be produced by Shaffer, Ross, and Jim Monti, with additional production by Tim Harkins, Leopold Ross and Danny Lohner (NIN)

Famed producer Ross Robinson (Slipknot, KoRn) comments: “What can I do to ever come close to feeling James’s level of pure ruthless courage through a guitar? Since I’ve worked with him, I’ve tried to inspire, convince, beg, bleed, cry, prod and nearly die, hoping to hit that bar with others. I’m grateful to know what ‘it’ is, and where it always exists—in my brother, James. His solo band? Yes, please!”

The songs are being recorded at Music Grinder Studios in Hollywood, CA, with Jim Monti handling the mixing duties. Fear and The Nervous System is an exciting project that opens up the boundaries of rock, harkening back to the days when music was fearless. You can check out more on FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM by visiting http://www.myspace.com/fearandthenervoussystem!!!

Never shy about their influences and the music they grew up on, multi-platinum rockers EVERCLEAR have long been known for saluting the band’s roots by recording and performing a dynamic and eclectic array of covers. Now for the first time, Everclear’s best studio and concert recordings have been gathered for a new collection, The Vegas Years, to be released April 15 by Capitol/EMI. Produced by Everclear singer, guitarist and songwriter Art Alexakis, the disc features 14 covers the band recorded between 1994 and this year, including versions of Hall & Oates’ “Rich Girl” and Paul Revere & The Raiders’ “Kicks,” both available exclusively on the new CD and digital album release.

“I have wanted to do this record since 1997, as soon as I realized that this was the closest I was ever going to get to being Frank Sinatra!,” writes Art in the liner notes for The Vegas Years. “The songs on this record range from ‘80s pop and ‘60s rave-ups to blue-eyed soul, R&B and old time country with a healthy dose of classic rock, for sure.”

The collection includes live performances from Everclear’s 2007 national tour: Tommy Tutone’s “867-5309 (Jenny),” adopted by the band as a high-energy show closer, and Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” which can also be heard on 2001’s platinum-selling Songs From An American Movie: Learning How To Smile album. The rest of the tracks are culled from various studio sessions and include rare and never-before-heard recordings, from “American Girl”–recorded in 1994 for a Tom Petty tribute album–to two newly recorded covers: Hall & Oates’ “Rich Girl” and Paul Revere & The Raiders’ “Kicks.” Also included are Everclear’s takes on Yaz’s “Bad Connection,” Cheap Trick’s “Southern Girls,” Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys Are Back In Town,” Neil Young’s “Pocahontas,” The Go-Go’s’ “Our Lips Are Sealed,” Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,” Little Jimmy Dickens’ “Night Train To Memphis” and two classic TV theme songs, “Land Of The Lost” and “Speed Racer.”

On the touring front, the group–ALEXAKIS, drummer BRETT SNYDER, guitarist DAVE FRENCH, bassist SAM HUDSON and keyboardist JOSH CRAWLEY–will be back on the road this spring and summer, performing songs from this new collection alongside Everclear favorites. For tour announcements and other updates, please visit the band’s official Website and MySpace page: www.everclearonline.com and www.myspace.com/everclear.

Killswitch Engage continue to cement their reputation as road warriors. After wrapping up their successful, sold out winter tour, the Massachusetts band has just announced another spate of tour dates that will find the band hitting several Canadian markets. The two-week tour, featuring Throwdown, Poison The Well and The End as support acts, kicks off on May 10 at Toronto’s Sound Academy and runs through May 29 where it wraps up at the Croatian Cultural Centre in Vancouver, BC.

The Grammy-nominated Killswitch Engage are widely recognized as one of the most influential bands in the metal scene today. The band recently received a Canadian GOLD plaque for their DVD "Set This World Ablaze" and are closing in on 35,000 albums sold on their most recent release "As Daylight Dies," which was re-released in September with additional tracks including the smash single “Holy Diver.”

Below are the tour dates and locations. Pre-sale for all fans begins today at Noon EST (link below) . Regular on-sale tickets can be purchased beginning March 6.

Jeff Healey, arguably one of the most distinctive guitar players of our time, died today (Sunday March 2) in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Toronto. He was 41, and leaves his wife, Cristie, daughter Rachel (13) and son Derek (three), as well as his father and step-mother, Bud and Rose Healey, and sisters Laura and Linda.

Funeral and memorial arrangements are pending.

Robbed of his sight as a baby due to a rare form of cancer, retino blastoma, and he started to play guitar when he was three, holding the instrument unconventionally across his lap. He formed his first band at 17, but soon formed a trio which was named the Jeff Healey Band.

After his appearance in the movie Road House, he was signed to Arista records, and in 1988 released the Grammy-nominated album See the Light, which included a major hit single, Angel Eyes. He earned a Juno Award in 1990 as Entertainer of the Year.

Two more albums emerged on Arista, with lessening success as the ’90s passed. Various “best-of” and live packages were released, and he recorded two more rock albums, before turning to his real love, classic American jazz from the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s.

By then, however, Healey was an internationally-known star who had played with dozens of musicians, including B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and recorded with George Harrison. Mark Knopfler and the late blues legend, Jimmy Rogers.

A family man with a three-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter he preferred to stay close to home. “I’ve traveled widely before — been there and done that,” he told friends, determined to avoid the lengthy, exhausting tours that marked his life in his twenties and early thirties.

A long-running CBC Radio series saw him in the role of disc jockey — My Kinda Jazz was a staple for a while, but in recent years he had hosted a programme with a similar name on Jazz-FM in Toronto. A highlight of his broadcasts was always the use of rare — and rarely heard — music from his 30,000-plus collection of 78-rpm records.

As his rock career wound down as the millennium came, he recorded a series of three album of early jazz, playing trumpet as well as acoustic guitar in a band he called Jeff Healey’s Jazz Wizards. The most recent was It’s Tight Like That, recorded live at Hugh’s Room in Toronto in 2005, with British jazz legend Chris Barber as guest star.

At the time of his death he was about to see the release of his first rock/blues album in eight years, Mess of Blues, which is being released in Europe on March 20, and in Canada and the U.S. on April 22. The album was the result of a joint agreement between the German label, Ruf Records, and Stony Plain, the independent Edmonton-based label that has released his three jazz CDs.

Mess of Blues was recorded in studios in Toronto, with two cuts recorded at the Jeff Healey’s Roadhouse in Toronto and two at a concert in London England. The backup group on the upcoming CD — the Healey’s House Band — played with him regularly at the downtown Roadhouse, and at a previous club bearing his name in the Queen-Bathurst area.

Early last year, Healey underwent surgery to remove cancerous tissue from his legs, and later from both lungs; aggressive radiation treatments and chemotherapy, however, failed to halt the spread of the disease.

Despite his battle with cancer, he undertook frequent tours across Canada with both his blues-based band and his jazz group; he was set for a major tour in Germany and the U.K. and was to be a guest on the BBC’s famed Jools Holland Show in April.

Remembered by his musicians — and his audiences — for his wry sense of humour as well as his musical playfulness, Healey was a unique musician who bridged different genres with ease and assurance.

Company House Records and EMI Music Canada are excited to announce the release of the heavily-anticipated debut album “You Will Land With A Thud” from Cape Breton Island’s high-voltage folk-rock n’ rollers The Tom Fun Orchestra.

In stores today, “You Will Land With A Thud” was produced by the platinum-selling team of Violent Femmes’ vocalist/guitarist Gordon Gano and Warren Bruleigh (the Violent Femmes, Louise Attaque). Encapsulating the explosive energy of Tom Fun’s live show into 12 tracks of Vaudevillian cluster rock, “You Will Land..” features gems like “Watchmaker” (the first single), “Throw Me To The Rats” and the punk-tinged “Heart Attack In An Old Motel”.

“The Tom Fun Orchestra is my new favorite band,” commented Gordon Gano. “I don’t see this as just a first album, it is an impressive musical achievement that warranted the attention of the top people in the business,” Gano continued, referring to Mixing Engineer Phil Palazzola (The New Pornographers) and Mastering Engineer Howie Weinberg (Nirvana, White Stripes).

With a sound that has elicited references ranging from The Clash, Tom Waits and The Pogues to The Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene, The Tom Fun Orchestra is truly in a league of their own, defying musical clichés and putting a refreshing new spin on traditional East Coast music that bridges elements of folk, roots, blues, rock and punk into a unique and timeless sound. The band’s distinctive instrumentation marries a hybrid bluegrass-gypsy orchestra of violin, banjo, accordion, trumpet, mandolin and double bass to a driving trio of electric guitars and pounding drums.

The buzz around The Tom Fun Orchestra’s live show alone has catapulted the band into the ranks as

one of the top breakout bands to emerge from the hot-bed of East Coast music, alongside fellow East Coast indie-rockers Slowcoaster and Wintersleep.

After rocking the house with a recent performance (to rave reviews) at the 2008 East Coast Music Awards, The Tom Fun Orchestra is currently gearing up for the next run of dates, including TWO confirmed Canadian Music Week showcases in Toronto on March 7 + 8 (details below).

The acclaimed British progressive rock group ASIA has announced the April 15 (April 14 internationally) release of Phoenix, its first studio album since 1983. Recorded last August by all four original members, Phoenix will be released on CD and digitally by EMI America Records in North America and by Frontiers Records in the rest of the world. Since 1982, ASIA has sold more than 15 million albums globally, and the band has announced a world tour to support the release of Phoenix, with U.S. dates confirmed for April and May.

Phoenix marks a return to the classic ASIA sound, with some surprising contemporary twists. “Everything that was there 25 years ago is still there, and quite simply, if you liked it then, you’ll love it now,” says ASIA’s singer and bassist John Wetton. “It does exactly what it says on the tin.”

“The recording has gone very well, especially since John is writing, singing and playing great,” adds guitarist Steve Howe. “I believe we’ve all found the teamwork creatively rewarding and we look forward to playing some new songs onstage.”

Phoenix is a collection of songs that speak to the millions of core ASIA fans who, like the group, have come a long way since the dawn of the MTV age in 1982. “We’re older now, and our audience has grown up with us,” says drummer Carl Palmer. “I think the lyrical themes on this record are some of the best John has ever developed. One track in particular, ‘Extraordinary Life,’ is among the best tracks we’ve ever recorded, and I believe could go on to be another ASIA classic.”

Phoenix has a very poignant underlying theme placed at the intersection of love, discovery and reflection, no doubt due, at least partly, to Wetton’s unexpected serious health issues (which included open heart surgery), and forced the cancellation of ASIA’s 2007 West Coast North American tour and a sold-out tour of the United Kingdom. “It kind of knocked me sideways on another level,” said Wetton of his recent surgery and physical rehabilitation, in an interview with journalist Jeb Wright. “You tend to become very aware of your mortality and your vulnerability.” Fortunately for his fans, Wetton has recovered fully and his band mates say he is singing and playing better than ever.

“John is a survivor,” adds ASIA keyboardist Geoff Downes. “He has proved that a few times now. There was never any doubt in our minds that he would recover and be better than ever. We all look forward to hitting the road once again.”

Says Carl Palmer: “The last few years since we reunited have been a very natural process. The recording started and ended on a big high with the sense that Asia now was truly reborn and ready to move forward once again – onto the global stage where we all feel it justly belongs.”

Coinciding with the release of Phoenix, ASIA will return to the stage for an extensive World Tour that kicks off March 1 in Falmouth, UK. It will be the first show by the band since Wetton was sidelined last August.

ASIA’s four original members reunited in 2006, 23 years after all four had last played together. The much publicized reunion resulted in two highly successful world tours in 2006 and 2007; an acclaimed double live LP and DVD (Fantasia: Live In Tokyo); and an overwhelming response from fans and the media, which continues today. This will be the third world tour for the four accomplished musicians, whose debut album, ASIA, was released 26 years ago in 1982 and remains one of only four albums in history to hold the #1 Billboard album chart position for a staggering nine weeks. Formed at the dawn of the MTV era, ASIA was the first ‘supergroup’ of the 1980s, featuring members from Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer, King Crimson and The Buggles. Videos made for the band’s first two albums, ASIA and Alpha, were staples of the historic music channel’s initial programming.

“1982 feels like only yesterday,” comments keyboardist Geoff Downes about recording ASIA’s landmark debut album as compared to Phoenix. “Four guys in the studio, making music together – John, Steve, Carl and me. Fast forward to 2008. Once again, here we are: The same four guys doing the same things. Maybe we’re all a bit older now, but nothing’s really changed that much over the years – that’s the beauty of ASIA.”

Continuing his thought, Downes is reflective on the creative success of the early albums: “What we set out to achieve way back then – timeless music that only sounds like the four who created it – is what we attempted to bring to Phoenix. Still, it remains contemporary and refreshing to us all. Nothing more, nothing less. This is the ASIA story, and it remains the same today – so listen on, and enjoy.”

As the influential UK rock band UFO prepares to land in several U.S. cities this April and May, Capitol/EMI announces the April 15 release of The Best Of UFO (1974-1983), a new collection of the band’s top tracks from the Chrysalis and Ariola Records vaults. The 19-track CD and digital album is chronologically sequenced with hits and other standout album cuts, as well as 7” single edits.

Formed in London in 1969, UFO’s original hard rock style evolved into a more meandering space rock influenced sound before the band unleashed its signature heavy guitar rock structure in the mid ‘70s, a pioneering style that would inform popular music in decades to come, as the band’s international touring and album releases connected with a worldwide audience. UFO has been cited as a major influence on the evolution of heavy metal in the 1980s by many of the genre’s top players, including members of Metallica, Megadeth, Iron Maiden and Tesla, among others.

The Best Of UFO (1974-1983) begins with “Rock Bottom” and “Oh My” from the band’s first Chrysalis release, 1974’s Phenomenon, then moves to “Let It Roll” and “Shoot Shoot” from 1975’s Force It. 1976’s No Heavy Petting is represented by “Can You Roll Her,” “I’m A Loser” and “Natural Thing;” 1977’s title track to Lights Out is included, along with the album’s “Love To Love” and “Too Hot To Handle,” followed by 1978’s “Only You Can Rock Me” (7” version) from Obsession. A live single edit of “Doctor Doctor” is included from UFO’s critically acclaimed 1979 concert album, Strangers In The Night; 1980’s “Lettin’ Go” and “Young Blood” (7” edit) are included from No Place To Run, followed by 1981’s “Lonely Heart” (7” edit) and “Chains Chains” from The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent. “Let It Rain” and “We Belong To The Night” from the band’s final Chrysalis album, 1982’s Mechanix, are followed by 1983’s “When It’s Time To Rock” (7” edit) from Making Contact, rounding out the tracklist.

UFO has confirmed 25 tour dates across the U.S. in April and May (tour dates listed below). For updates and additional information, visit UFO’s official Website: www.ufo-music.info.

Frontiers Records is honoured to present the European release of ASIA come back studio album "Phoenix" on April 11th 2008 !

Geoffrey Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and John Wetton, the four original members reunited in 2006, twenty-three years after all four had last played together. The much publicised reunion resulted in two highly successful world tours in 2006 and 2007; an acclaimed double live LP and DVD, (entitled "Fantasia: Live In Tokyo"); and an overwhelming response from fans and the media, which continues today.

Starting from the summer 2007, Geoff, Steve, Carl and John have been busy in the studio recording their brand new CD "Phoenix", the first studio album from the band’s members since 1983. Eagerly anticipated by fans all over the world, "Phoenix" contains an eclectic selection of songs bound by the unique Asia trade mark.

"Decades later, as if by destiny, the four of us are still here doing the one thing we are most passionate about – making music. The result of our latest endeavours is our new album, "Phoenix", says Geoff Downes

"Phoenix" has been influenced by the same fusion of talents and heritages which so excited the world in 1982 and has a very poignant underlying theme placed at the intersection of love, discovery and reflection, no doubt due, at least partly, to Wetton’s unexpected triple by-pass heart surgery which forced the cancellation of ASIA’s 2007 West Coast North American tour and an eagerly anticipated tour of the United Kingdom. Based on such personal events John was inspired to write "An Extraordinary Life", making the concept of Carpe Diem dramatically pertinent.

"The album is a very adult, deep album both lyrically and musically and shows the development the individuals have gone through during their time apart pursuing other ventures" says Carl Palmer. "With songs like An Extraordinary Life and Alibis one can see the very strong English rock/pop/progressive style the group still retains. Lyrically the album is deep, to the point and highly personal. Coupled with the expertise and musicianship you have the band Asia".

The new record include rockers such as "Never Again" (the first single) and "Nothing’s Forever", power ballads such as "Heroine" and "I Will Remember You" and two mini-epics too, among a dozen new songs which presents all themes the band is very well known for.

Steve Howe says: "This has been no ordinary reunion, the dates went well, the audiences have been encouraging as we have gone peacefully about our work. This new CD was really an enormous test, a challenge worthy of our intent. All the distractions usually evident vapourised, as we focused on collaborating to select and arrange these new songs, all in the style of "Asia ". Just 3 months later, the recordings demonstrate that professionalism, pleasure and hard work can go hand in hand with musical adventures, long may we revel!".

"We are neither over-confident, nor unsure of our ground. Each one of us is comfortable as a human being, and the sound on the CD "Phoenix" finally reflects the collective maturity of these four people who are not only eager to explore, but also relaxed enough to luxuriate in the strength of the material", adds John Wetton, while Downes concludes "The 12 song collection seeks to transport the listener on a musical journey, sharing our own personal thoughts, emotions and experiences along the way. The CD sleeve is adorned with an exquisite Roger Dean painting depicting the Phoenix in ascendancy. Enjoy the ride!"

The cd will also include an EPK playable on all computers, featuring video footage with interviews and live recordings.

"Phoenix" final tracklisting will include:

Tracklisting: Never Again; Nothing’s Forever, Heroine; Sleeping Giant / No Way Back / Reprise; Alibis; I Will Remember You; Shadow of a Doubt; Parallel Worlds / Vortex / Deya; Wish I’d Known All Along; Orchard of Mines; Over and Over; An Extraordinary Life.

- Includes: Electronic Press Kit playable on all computers

- An Extraordinary Life [acoustic]*

* Bonus track only available on a Limited edition in slipcase

"Phoenix" will be released by Frontiers Records on April 11th with King Records handling the release in Japan. More domestic releases (including USA, Brazil, Korea, Argentina, Russia and Taiwan) are planned at the moment with details to be released at a later stage.

You might recognize Mic Boyd from his collaborations with big brother Classified on tracks like ‘Sibling Rivalry’, ‘Live It Up’, ‘Ain’t Hard To Find’ and fan favorite ‘It’s Sickening.’ Or perhaps you were lucky enough to catch him on the ‘While You Were Sleeping’ cross Canada tour that just wrapped up – selling out venues across the country. But what you definitely haven’t heard is his debut full length album Lost in the Woods.

February 26 marked the release of Mic’s 14 track album that combines catchy hooks and spectacularly witty lyricism entirely produced by Class himself. Lost in the Woods and each of its brilliantly written songs invoke insight and emotion through the use of storytelling, clever raps and humor. With the launch of the first single and video for the track ‘Guess Who’s Back’ Mic Boyd is sure to become a standout figure in Canadian hip hop.

After the success of his debut effort, The Ten Bux EP (2003), Mic has been steadily perfecting his skills, performing on 3 nationwide tours, and has shared the stage with acts including Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, The Game, Maestro, Choclair, Good Charlotte, and Alexisonfire.

* Named one of Canada’s Top Ten New Artists/Bands to watch for 2008 – Karen Bliss, Access Magazine

“After the first listen, it feels strangely familiar, but not quite — creeping back into your consciousness long after you thought you’ve moved on. Virtually all the songs have hooks that get into you, starting out familiar without sounding derivative. "I’m Just Trying To Break Your Heart" could be post-millennial U2, while "Temporary Lovers" starts out all Radiohead-beat, goes over to mid-era Depeche Mode and switches to artist currently known as Prince before launching into the Jacko-esque chorus.” – Erik Missio, Chart Magazine

“Sex, Love and Morality isn’t a disc that stays home on a Friday night. It echoes his live shows, which are a more theatrical, operatic rock ’n’ roll spectacle comparable to the live shows of Prince and bands such as Nine Inch Nails.” – Queens Journal

“The CD’s big sound is helped by some big tunes. Aside from big-time rockers like the title track, Sex, Love & Morality, and the first single, Heavy Hearted, there’s still room for the wistful Montreal and the Prince-like Temporary Lovers.” – Greg Burliuk, Kingston Whig Standard